SABAH native leaders have for the law to be applied in the case of eight undocumented people who were detained after attending the #KamiMahuAir rally last week.
Leader of the Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation, Daniel John Jambun, said the law must be allowed to take its course.
"Water is a necessity. Every person, whether documented or not, needs water. But why are there still people without proper documentation? The law must take its course," said Jambun.
Gindol Initiative for Civil Society of Borneo leader Kanul Gindol emphasised the need to resolve the issue of undocumented persons in Sabah.
"Why are these Sabahans here (in Kota Kinabalu) without documents? These eight could be just the tip of a very big issue in Sabah. Personally, I support granting citizenship to those born, raised, and working here, but they must go through the normal process.
"We cannot let this issue continue without closure; it will become a significant problem involving human rights," he said.
Their views reflect the sentiments of the majority of Sabah residents who are frustrated with the inaction to resolve the matter undocumented and stateless people in the state that has persisted for decades.
Some are unhappy at the federal government for not upholding the laws on immigration, national registration, and security.
This comes as the efforts taken by the Sabah government to resolve the problem through a “digitalisation” process in creating a digital record and providing these groups with biometric identification.
On June 14, Kota Kinabalu police arrested nine people after they allegedly participated in the KamiMahuAir rally, a student-led protest addressing Sabah's water issues.
The rally gathered various groups, including students, community representatives, and non-governmental organisations, triggering a backlash from several NGOs calling for their release.
The #KamiMahuAir rally secretariat denied that the arrests occurred at the rally site, Menara Kinabalu, Sabah’s administrative building. They stated that the arrests happened about 7km away near the Sabah International Convention Centre while the rally was ongoing.
Among those arrested were a teacher and eight of his students, who are believed to be undocumented. The teacher was released on June 18, while the students were remanded for 14 days at the police station.
The students are from alternative learning schools in Semporna, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau, which provide lessons to stateless children under the supervision of the youth-led movement Borneo Komrad. Borneo Komrad has since launched a petition calling for the release of the eight youths.
School administrator Wan Shakila Adiela Wan Azmi said in the petition that three of the students are minors aged 15 to 17.
Electoral watchdog Bersih has also called for the government to uphold the freedom of assembly following the arrests. Under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, minors under the age of 15 are prohibited from participating in rallies. Eight adults are expected to be tried under the country’s immigration laws. – June 22, 2024
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